The New Preppy

Raise your gin-and-tonic for the arrival of Lisa Birnbach’s True Prep: It’s a Whole New Old World (Knopf), an updated edition of the author’s The Official Preppy Handbook. Thirty years have passed since the release of the original manual, and certain commandments of prepdom have changed. If you want to look the part of the new preppy, it’s easy to assimilate (Ralph Lauren! J. Crew!), but you still must play by the rules of engagement. So, Muffy, pop your collar and carefully review these examples of the tricky Wasp taxonomy pulled from *Vanity Fair’*s excerpt of True Prep—and you’ll fit right in!

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“Every single one of us—no matter the age or gender or sexual preference—owns a blue blazer.” Rob Pattinson gives new meaning to “blue blood” with this updated take on the navy jacket.

“We generally underdress. We prefer it to overdressing.” She may be an unlikely prep, but British television presenter turned style icon Alexa Chung expertly rocks an old-school cardigan, T-shirt, and cut-up leather shorts for an evening out.

“High-heel rule: You must be able to run in them—on cobblestones, on a dock, in case of spontaneous foot race.” Designer Tory Burch demonstrates this cardinal commandment: look fabulous, but be ready to hike—or jog.

“Clothes can cost any amount, but they must fit. Many a preppy has an item from a vintage shop or a lost-and-found bin at the club that was tailored and looks incredibly chic.” J. Crew’s Jenna Lyons is the goddess of reasonably priced prepdom. Worship the salmon-colored cutoffs (they look vintage-y even if they are straight off the rack).

“Bags and shoes need not match.” Kate Bosworth may have deferred acceptance to Princeton, but the Connecticut-bred beauty is solid prep. Here, in a Calvin Klein evening look with a gold box clutch and red shoes.

“If your best friend is a designer (clothes, accessories, jewelry), you should wear a piece from his or her collection. If his or her taste and yours don’t coincide, buy a piece or two to show your loyal support—but don’t wear them.” Maggie Betts always makes an effort to turn up in Prabal Gurung. The two have been close friends since before Gurung launched his own label.

“Jewelry should not match, though metals should. On the other hand, your watch doesn’t have to be the same metal as your jewelry. And you can wear gold with a platinum wedding band and/or engagement ring.”

Designer Minnie Mortimer is the poster girl for the rules of adornment.

“Men’s jewelry should be restricted to a handsome watch, a wedding band if he is American and married, and nothing else. If he has a family-crest ring, it may be worn as well. For black-tie, of course, shirt studs and matching cuff links are de rigueur.” Tom Brady (with a preppy friend) demonstrates good Boston breeding with a leather-strap watch and simple gold band.

“We do not wear our cell phones or BlackBerrys suspended from our belts. (That includes you, President Obama.)” Samuel L. Jackson understands the power of a distinguished pair of glasses and versatile sportswear but ignores the importance of hiding his mobile device.

“Sweat suits are for sweating. You can try to get away with wearing sweats to carpool, to pick up the newspaper, or to drive to the dump, but last time you were at the dump, the drop-dead-attractive widower from Maple Lane was there, too.” Miley Cyrus finally decides to cover up and loses any chance of prep cred in the process.